Quote by Umberto Eco

There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleasure, and that is pain. Under torture you are as if under the dominion of those grasses that produce visions. Everything you have heard told, everything you have read returns to your mind, as if you were being transported, not toward heaven, but toward hell. Under torture you say not only what the inquisitor wants, but also what you imagine might please him, because a bond (this, truly, diabolical) is established between you and him.

There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleas

Summary

This quote emphasizes the intense effect of pain and torture on individuals, particularly in the context of being interrogated or subjected to the authority of an inquisitor. It suggests that under extreme physical or mental torment, one's senses become heightened, giving rise to intense visions and recalling every piece of knowledge one has acquired. The quote also highlights the propensity for individuals to not only say what the interrogator desires but also to fabricate information to gain favor or alleviate the suffering. It touches upon the insidious psychological aspect of torture, leading to a twisted connection between the victim and their tormentor.

Topics

Torture

By Umberto Eco

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